Summer Olympics

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The Nazi Influence in the 1936 Summer Olympics

In 1931, Germany won the bid over Spain to be the host nation for the Games of the XI Olympiad. When the time came for Berlin to welcome the athletes of the world to take part in the 1936 Summer Olympics, Germany was already under the Nazi regime.

Adolph Hitler wanted to endorse his ideological belief of racial supremacy and only allowed German athletes of the Aryan race to compete. He made sure the city of Berlin was cleansed of all Roma (Gypsies) by having them arrested and held in special camps. Signs with the words “Jews not wanted” were also removed from the city’s main tourist attractions even though Jews were not permitted to participate in sporting events.

The Nazi creed was one of strength and racial dominance. Sports were a great avenue to unite German youth, build character, and instill in them a patriotic spirit. What better way for the Nazis to show off their racial superiority and the power of the Reich than through the arena of the Olympic Games. Through athletic competitions they believed they could weed out all those they deemed undesirables like the Jews and the weak.

Many voiced their opinions of wanting to boycott the Games, believing that participating only showed support for the anti-Semitic policies of the Nazi regime. Anti-Nazi groups who did not want American athletes to participate argued that racial discrimination violated Olympic rules, and ignoring it meant support for Hitler’s regime.

Although the United States considered boycotting the Games, the Amateur Athletic Union voted in favor of sending an American team. Even President Roosevelt was insistent that the U.S. take part in the Olympics and not be influenced by outside forces. Both Spain and the Soviet Union chose not to participate in 1936.

The U.S. Olympic Committee stated that politics had no place in sport and most African-American newspapers agreed. They believed that victories from black athletes could only serve to challenge the Nazi Aryan supremacy belief and give black people pride in their accomplishments. The Jewish Labor Committee on the other hand, protested American involvement and supported the boycott of German goods. Despite Jewish objections, the U.S. Olympic Committee insisted that Jewish athletes were being treated fairly and found no reason why America should boycott the Games.

In spite of Hitler’s racist ideologies, he was faced with acknowledging the victories of the black American runner, Jesse Owens, who beat his German competitor Luz Long. Owens did admit that Hitler waved his hand at him in a gesture of congratulations. It was ironic that during a time of segregation and discrimination against black people in the United States, Jesse Owens was free to use public facilities and transportation without aggravation in Nazi Germany. Plus he also had the adoration of the German crowds.

Some notable events during the 1936 Olympic Games include the fact that it was the first Olympics to have live television coverage, and that it was the first time the Olympic Flame was brought to the Olympic Village by a torch relay that had started in Olympia, Greece. Germany also led the medal count winning the most gold, silver, and bronze medals.

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